Hot flashes, irritability, mood swings, night sweats, depression, low libido, insomnia, fatigue, brain fog, vaginal dryness… most women of any age know what those symptoms add up to: menopause. The Change of Life. But very few probably know what weight gain, nausea, headaches, bloating, joint pain, brain fog, fatigue, mood swings, digestive issues and tender breasts indicate. These are all common side effects of taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Of course, the possible repercussions of HRT don't stop there. For women taking HRT to mitigate menopause and perimenopause symptoms, over the years studies have shown an increased risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancers; blood clots and stroke; pulmonary embolisms; and cardiovascular disease.
HRT has had an enormously checkered history. It all started in 1941 when the American pharmaceutical company…